Prime Minister Eluned Morgan has paid tribute to Pope Francis after his death at the age of 88.
He died on Monday, announced the Vatican, a day after appearing in the Plaza de San Pedro to greet thousands of faithful.
Morgan said it was with “great sadness that I have learned from the death of Pope Francis of his holiness.”
“As Prime Minister of Wales, and as a Christian, I sacrifice my department condolences to the Catholic community in Wales and worldwide,” he said.
“Pope Francis led with an unwavering humility, courage and deep compassion.
“Through his papacy, he was a tireless defender of the poor, marginalized and displaced.
“They remind us of all that the fight against poverty, climate change and injustice is not only a political or social task, but a moral call.
“His message was clear: each person, regardless of the background, race or sexuality, deserves dignity, respect and love.
“His famous call to ‘not judge, but walking with’ exemplified a faith rooted in love, empathy and understanding of all people, focusing on compassion instead of conviction.”
Cardinal Bergoglio or Argentina was over 70 when he became Pope Francis in 2013.
Last month, he was unearthed from the hospital after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.
‘Rest in peace’
Morgan added: “In his last months, he spoke with moral clarity, condemning what he referred to as the” genocide “in Gaza, urging the world to recognize the humanity of all people and choose peace about destruction.
“In a world that feels divided, Pope Francis built bridges of unity and his legacy will last in the lives he touched and the values he defended, continuous values to inspire us here in Wales.
“On behalf of the Gales Government, I sacrifice our deposit sympathies for all who hurt their loss. Let them rest in peace, and be your example to guide us and inspire us all.”
